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Almost every success story includes a chapter where the artist or entrepreneur experiences rejection, failure, self-doubt and, ultimately, depression. So, in the midst of my misery last week, I actually rationalized to myself that going through this difficult time not only insured my success, but put me one step closer to it!

2. There’s Nothing Like a Good Pity Party.

Every once in a while I just want to sit around feeling sorry for myself. I know. I know. I’ve got a lot to be grateful for, there are others who are worse off, blah blah blah. Yeah, I get all that. But, if you’re going to be depressed, you may as well make the most of it and sometimes there’s just nothing more satisfying than wallowing in self-pity.

Usually I will give the Sheriff a heads up. I’ll say something to the effect ‘hey, I’m feeling really sorry for myself right now, and I’m going to keep feeling sorry for myself for about the next 3 hours or so, so you might want to make plans to go out or something.’ To which he usually responds, ‘I’m really sorry you’re having a tough time’. And then of course I feel even worse. I want to say ‘please don’t be nice to me when I’m trying to be miserable’.

3. Depression Is An Opportunity To Accomplish A Lot, Doing As Little As Possible

I really feel that depression is G-d’s way of making me sit still.

Most days, when I am not depressed, I tend to be racing from one place to another, talking to people, working, checking things off my list. But when I am bummed out, all I want to do is be alone and think.

While this may not feel particularly good, and it may not look good to those who are used to seeing me on the run, the truth is that this period of reflection is usually, for me, the greatest period of growth.

What I have noticed over the years, is that depression is usually the bottom stop on my springboard. And, immediately following the depression, I bounce back — to new heights.

5. The End Is Near

The best part of depression is knowing it will end. But, this really cannot happen soon enough. So, as soon as you’re done having your pity party, try to figure out what you can do to begin to bounce back. For instance, I started to think about what I was learning from being bummed out that I could possibly share here on the ParmFarm.

Not only did writing about it help to pull me out of my funk but, as hundreds if not thousands of new visitors arrive at the ParmFarm as a result of my ’7 Ways to Find Inspiration’ article, it serves to demonstrate that I practice what I preach!

Been there. Done That. And you can too! There's a trick! Find out more in my FREE ebook.
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Jess

This article should be taken down. Whoever wrote this has no idea what depression is. Depression is not feeling a little down with a sight of ‘bouncing back’. I can’t help but find this offensive to suffers. ‘Depression is an opportunity to accomplish a lot’ my episodes can last months to years and during that time my head is such a fussy mess that no logical thought would pass through aside the regular sucidal thought. When I found this article I was looking for solutions to stop self harm. This article is misleading and frankly ridiculous.

amy Parment

Jess. I am so so sorry that you struggle with depression. I do understand that for those who are clinically depressed ‘bouncing back’ feels an impossibility. I have clinical depression in my family, so I am aware. There are those, however, who suffer from more mild forms of depression but for whom the experience feels equally debilitating. Either way, there is hope, there is treatment and there is the potential for recovery. And though you may not relate to the tone of this article, I appreciate your comments. I hope you find the help you need.

kit

yeah you’ve never suffered from clincal depression. You’ve just been a bit sad and suffered a set back.
There is a difference- and seeing as you seem to be positive about things take this as an opportunity to actually educate yourself on what depression is.
I think a good blog for you to read and understand would be the depression posts on hyperbole and a half. That girl has been there and writes about it in both a touching and honest way.

Olivia Ann

This article should be deleted. It is a completely false definition of depression. I have had depression for years, you do not simply “bounce back” from it. And number three is completely wrong. The truth is you don’t get anything done because the only thing you can manage is laying in bed for hours. So do yourself a favor and delete this article and stop romanizing this crippling mental illness.

Lee DiFante

Argh, I got here off of a google search and it just made me more depressed. Do some people really just get over it this easily?

Natasha

Sorry, that as me, said the wrong email

Natasha

I wish i could close my feelings so easily… I wish the pain and sadness would end. I know it wont end any time soon, i cant find a way out

Guest

I HATE it, it did not give me any advice and I’m still bummed out, motion carried by thousands of other agreements. The best way to deal with it is to do what you want to do, what I do is just wait and sit and not really think about any thing until something pops up or I’m done. This is really, really a bad website for advice.

guest

this is not depression you’re talking about. you didn’t mean to offend anybody, i’m sure about that, but really… that article is really nonsense. you don’t know anything about being depressed.

To echo some of the others here: This post isn’t about depression nor is it about how to bounce back from actual depression and it shouldn’t be labeled as such because this advice is useless and almost makes me angry as it comes across as shallow as it over simplifies the symptoms and its consequences of clinical depression. The “Depression is critical to your Success” and the advice in it, is a first clue how ridiculous this entry is. Getting out of depression? Yeah no. More like “Getting out of a temporary funk for people who aren’t depressed nor have any real DIAGNOSED mental health problems.”

Eat Mushrooms

Eating Psilocybin in the right set and setting can help a person get vivid clarity on the root of their issues and ideas on how to stop and start habits to help a person get out of depression.

Eat Mushrooms

Johns Hopkins has been doing research on the effects of Psilocybin “Magic Mushrooms” on depression, check it out on youtube.

Becca

That isn’t depression. You should have used the word ‘sad’ instead. There isn’t anything to celebrate when your going through an episode, this post is a ignorant joke.

ariel

I’m sooo glad you are able to pick and close your depression. You clearly dont know what depression is.

Guest

…sounds like the thoughts of someone who has never, ever suffered from clinical depression, yep. I don’t know which part is worst but I’m leaning towards 2. Being debilitatingly miserable has never, ever been ‘satisfying’ in any way, and thinking about how useless I am sends me into a guilt spiral. Ending up in a psychiatric ward because it was the only way to stop me from killing myself was the worst time in my life, not remotely ‘satisfying’

(5 makes me want to just break down and weep, though. My depressive episodes last months to years, and I struggle so so so hard with my limited resources to try and work out of them, and it feels completely hopeless. I wish I could look forward to an end coming up? but I can’t, it’s too distant, too alien, anticipating it would crush my hopes)

http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

I am so sorry you are in such pain. I hope you will be able to get the help you need. I know it’s out there. I will keep you in my prayers…

@Alexandra
Alexandra: I can see that my post really touched a nerve, and possibly even hurt you and for that I am sorry. There is nothing worse when you are depressed than someone suggesting you should just ‘snap out of it’. I do know. I’ve been there and depression runs in my family. I did have mixed emotions about writing this post because I wanted to help those who may be battling the blues by trying to find a silver lining but I did not mean to belittle the true darkness and disabling nature of clinical depression. As many of my readers have commented and as I concur, when ‘depression’ lasts for more than a few days or a week, getting medical help may be the only way out. I am sorry if you took offense to the post. Hope you will be feeling better soon. Amy

Stef

Amy, I just popped in accidentally. I know what depression is, and was feeling particularly sorry for myself today. I have dealt with this illness for over 23 years–more than half my life. It is, as the dissenters here say, far, far more difficult that they seem to think you allude to in your blog. But I just want to say thanks, because the lightness of your post seriously cheered me up! I will follow you…absolutely!

http://www.parmfarm.com amy

@Anne Galivan
Anne! First, I am so sorry about your brother. I want to say I cannot even imagine the anger and the heartache you must feel over your loss — but I lost my brother too, so unfortunately I can relate. I am not yet ready to write more about that…but I will, I’m sure, at some point, because he is/was such a very big part of who I am and an inspiration for this blog. I cannot also appreciate what I refer to as being ‘hormonally challenged’. I don’t know who I feel worse for — those who experience it, or those who don’t but get the brunt of the emotional roller coaster it brings on. Glad to hear you have balanced things out a bit. It’s always an uphill battle but I do think consciousness is the first step in recovery then, understanding there is help available and doing whatever you can to get through it. Thanks for the comments! ‘stop by’ again!

http://www.parmfarm.com amy

@Jeff Johnston
Jeff! Thanks for the nice note. There is really no upside to depression — until it ends. Kind of like banging your head against a wall! But depression does come and for some it is much worse than others. If you are lucky enough to be able to fight thru it…it can be a learning experience! Thanks for your comments and, of course, thanks for ‘stoppin’ by’.

http://homeschooling911.com/about/ Anne Galivan

I could speak a lot to the subject of depression given that I have struggled with it a number of times in my life (and sometimes for very good reason – for instance, after my brother was killed by a drunk driver in 1997). However, I will try to be brief.

I first want to say I love your comment about having a good ol’ pity party. I totally agree. I get so frustrated with people who throw out pithy statements about happiness as if that’s all it takes to get over (or through) a really bad spot. I think in times such as you describe we should really give a pity party all we’ve got. My problem is that with a house full of people (husband and three kids as well as a daughter who just recently moved out at the age of 26…who I miss terribly…*sigh*) – anyway, it is hard to get away from everyone when I just really need to be sad or mad or whatever. Aaaggghhhh!

Nevertheless, buy hats and have that pity party if everyone will let you and then…figure out what you need to do to take action.

My recent (and by recent I mean for at least the last two years) battle with depression stems mainly from hormonal imbalance as I have only recently discovered. But if I hadn’t kept searching for an answer to my depression (and anxiety) I wouldn’t have figured out that I need to see a doctor and get on bio-identical hormones. And now I can help others who are in the same boat by suggesting they may need to get their hormones checked.

Depression is not a simple topic and being in a funk is not necessarily the same as someone who can’t get out of bed – but this post can be very helpful for those who need a little encouragement that brighter days are ahead.

Heretoday

I wondered if you could elaborate on the hormones issue as I suffer from anxiety and depression and would be very great full if you had any more info to share as the two weeks leading up to my period are debilitating to the point of exploding, exhaustion and a horrible longing for it to end and for me to end. Thank you

Alexandra

Really it is that easy! Lady you have know idea what you are talking about. You are feeling a little blues, and a little down. You can’t think on depression. You can’t focus. You don’t want to work on anything cause nothing matters. Actually you want to throw away all your work cause it is crap, sell all your furniture and house and jump of a bridge (put that takes way to much energy and focus which you don’t have).
Do you think a little low blood sugar if you haven’t eaten anything for 12 hours and Type 1 diabetes is the same thing. It is not, and neither is what you are feeling and major depression.

http://www.JeffTalks.com Jeff Johnston

Excellent optimism Amy! I wish everyone would do such a great job at looking at the positive side of a negative situation. My wife and I have gone through plenty of ups and downs together and, without fail, we have always been able to find the silver lining of the situation. More often than not we find ourselves grateful for the lessons we have learned or the benefits that we received as a result of the difficult times we had to endure. So you’re right! Don’t give up, make the best of it while you can, and when it’s over look back and learn from it so you are better prepared for next time.

I hate the way I feel when I’m in a slump. For me, that is often all the motivation I need to get back to work and make a concentrated effort to improve my situation. The trick is figuring out what steps to take and then having the self discipline to get started. Once you begin, the rest gets easier.

Glad to hear you are feeling better! Keep up the great work and the inspiring optimism!

http://www.parmfarm.com amy

@Tristan
Tristan: thank you for such a great compliment on my problogger post. to say that you can ‘almost hear you talk’ is exactly what I think a blog should be…a conversation that begins with one post… Good luck with your new blog. It’s a lot of work, but well worth the challenge, personally and professionally.

Thank you for your comments on this post as well. I ALWAYS think it’s really important to listen to your body and go with the flow. I have always found that the sooner I give in to what I am feeling, the sooner I am able to get past it.

Thanks for ‘stoppin’ by’ the farm. Hope you will visit often and continue to share your thoughts!

Amy

http://TristanToday.com Tristan

@Tristan
I meant to put this on the think outside the blog post. Anyway, since I’m here, I also enjoyed this article. Quite relieving to know that having that down time is not as unusual as some may think. It’s also enlightening that you pointed out for someone to just wallow in this moment of depression when it comes instead of forcing oneself to go against the tide when not yet ready to move forward from that moment.

http://TristanToday.com Tristan

Hi Amy, I really love your post on ProBlogger about finding inspiration and thinking outside the blog. One could really pick up a lot from it. In my own experience, I recently started my own blog site, totally inspired to come up with different post almost daily for the first week. On the second week, I started to feel like I was running out of things to write about. Then I came across your post! What a perfect timing. Also, I enjoy the way you write. I could almost hear you talk about these things. Furthermore, they help put things into perspective.

http://www.parmfarm.com amy

@Rosemary Hannan
Thanks Rosemary! Takes one to know one – love your story telling as well! You’re always welcome at the farm! Amy

http://www.parmfarm.com amy

@Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot Thanks A! Looking forward to meeting you too! We are going to have some f-u-n! See you on the 13th! And thanks, as always, for stoppin’ by’. Amy

http://www.getinthehotspot.com/ Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot

I’ve suffered from depression too and it’s great that you’re sharing your story and normalizing the whole thing. The worst thing I did was hide it. When you start discussing depression you realize that everyone else (well, most of my friends!) have been through it too and you start to feel less isolated and more normal.

Vegas will banish the blues but we may have to cope with Post-BlogWorld depression afterwards…. Can’t wait to meet you:)

http://www.offbeatwoman.com Rosemary Hannan

Hi Amy, you are so refreshingly honest you always make me smile. When most of us are in denial over our feelings of depression or rejection or whatever we want to hide from the world…you just put it there on the table, thrash it out and then get on with things in your inimitable sunny way. Your honesty and sense of fun is inspirational. Glad you’re on the way back up!

http://desktoppublishingbusiness.com Kim

A good bout of short-lived depression always helps me get to the next level…plus I get the added bonus of weight loss!

http://www.sidelanes.com JC Brady

Hi! Good article.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling a certain way, so long as you make good use of it. I may have heard that said somewhere before, maybe that’s because it’s just good thinkin’.

http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

@Alison Kerr
Allison — so glad you stopped by. You certainly witnessed, first hand, one of the many challenges I faced last week over there at A-listers, so I’m glad you are also baring witness to my recovery! This WAS a really hard post for me to write because I know that clinical depression is no joke but I decided to just write from my heart and hoped it would be taken in the vain it was intended.

Thanks so much for ‘stoppin’ by the farm’!

amy

http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

@Gretchen Fogelstrom
Thanks so much. I’m glad the post resonated with you. Good luck with Global Endeavors — it sounds really special and I’m headed to check it out. Thanks for stoppin by!

http://LovingNaturesGarden.com Alison Kerr

Amy, I look forward to watching you reach new heights. They do say that “every cloud has a silver lining” and I’ve found that to be so, though I also agree with Jon, clinical depression has no good side and it is something which needs professional help, preferably sooner rather than later.

I hope the sun is shining again for you. Life can throw a lot at us, not all of it good. Congrats on the Problogger guest post!

http://global-endeavors.com Gretchen Fogelstrom

I am so glad I found you – and yes, from your ProBlogger post – excellent. Reading the 5 Ways To Make The Most of Being Depressed nailed how I feel. Especially #4 Boing! I started laughing as that is exactly how I feel when I hit my bottom. I pick myself up, figure out an action plan and start doing. One of those times was recently and from it I started my own blog about do-gooders (http://global-endeavors) entitled Global Endeavors; Exposing the Good. I needed a purpose again and now I am recharged. Thanks for the post and I look forward to reading more. Gretchen

http://www.parmfarm.com Amy Parmenter

@ Jon You could not be more right. I really toyed with writing this post, because I don’t want people to think that I’m making light of depression…just trying to make the most of it…and give people some hope at a time when it’s easy to feel hopeless. But I am all about getting professional help when necessary.

@michael I don’t know that I would go as far as to say that depression is ‘good’ for us…especially if it lasts more than a few days…but I like the concept of it being an awakening over time.

Thanks for stoppin by the farm!!

Amy

Thanks for stoppin’ by the Farm!

Amy

Jon

A good motivational message, but I think it’s important to bear in mind that for many people depression doesn’t take the form of a sad day or week from which they can bounce back through introspection and a change of pace.

Anyone who feels that each time they “bounce back” is just another step they’re hitting on the way down the stairs can still take ownership of the problem. In those cases, the best way to help oneself is to look outside. Seeking assistance from friends, clergy, and/or trained professionals is often the best way to start climbing back up.

http://michaelmcgimpsey.com Michael McGimpsey

A good article. Depression is actually good for us. It forces us to taken action and “wake” ourselves from the rut that we have fallen into.

etoilia

i am currently lying in my bed feeling sorry about myself and feeling that i am not even worth a penny.. i even feel like I don’t exist, and there’s no point to carry on living.. life is shit and I am tried of trying, and i have tried hard in the past, and i keep trying but the same outcome happen, as if i was going through a vicious circle never able to get out of it! and beleive me it’s tiring..i understand that itt’s not bad to feel sorry for few hours and bounce back again.. i would love that for me but i am at a point where i haven’t been boucning back for a while and i don’t forsee that in the future.. i am just in a dark place where i feel my limbs can’t lift me up, my my head can’t think straight, and i am just lost.. let’s put it that way…I am lost in a forest and i’ve been searching for home for years and can’t find my way back..